Matt Reeves Says ‘The Batman’ Doesn’t Fit Into The DCU Timeline

The production of The Batman has been marred by behind the scenes drama and intrigue regarding its plot, almost since Ben Affleck first signed onto the film as star and director. Now that Matt Reeves is taking over as director, many changes have occurred, leaving fans wondering what they can expect from The Batman. While Reeves and Warner Bros. has been sketchy in regard to answering that curiosity, Matt is now sharing what The Batman won’t be.Matt Reeves’ Vision for The Batman is an Isolated Story
While most of the recent DC Comics film adaptations have been interconnected, forming the basis of the DC Cinematic Universe, Matt Reeves says his film won’t be a part of that project. While fans might assume this was Matt’s idea, a way of making the project something of his own, the director says Warner Bros. presented him it.
The studio wanted Reeves to take The Batman in an entirely new direction, as a stand-alone film, and Matt saw that as an opportunity infuse the film with his own love for the character.
“I have a vision for a way to do something with that character that feels like it resonates with me personally,” Mr. Reeves said.The Batman Quietly Disses Ben Affleck
As previously stated, Matt Reeves has been rather tight-lipped about his plans for The Batman, but he has commented on the direction he plans to take his title character. In describing his passion to return to the film noir detective style of the older Batman comic books, Reeves has revealed that The Batman will take place some time in the past.
It was revealed that it would take place before Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice. In other words, before Ben Affleck.
More recently, a news piece on the Joker origin film suggested that Ben Affleck was out as Batman, altogether. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Affleck won’t continue in the proper DCU films as the Caped Crusader. The insinuation seems to be that Matt Reeves’ The Batman will be outside of the franchise altogether, following a younger, darker Batman in Gotham City, much like the way that Patty Jenkins gave us a Wonder Woman story that took place decades before Batman vs Superman.
Previously, Ben Affleck mentioned that he wasn’t privy to Matt’s vision, because the director was still busy with his Planet of the Apes sequel.
“He wanted to wait until Apes came out, and he was obviously consumed with that. So I’m looking forward to hearing what his story is,” said Affleck.